It’s hard to believe this is a game that released in 2012 and not more recently. Though there are some dated and heavy systems, the atmosphere and a combat system that gives freedom and depth make Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition an RPG for the ages.

Lost Ark could feel like too much of a good thing and overwhelming with the amount of gameplay mechanics. But it all merges into an addicting gameplay loop filled with exciting set pieces, fun and customizable classes and attacks, and enough varying content to keep you happy for the foreseeable future.

While the graphics are slightly lackluster in small areas, like grass, New Pokémon Snap is gorgeous as a whole. The controls are solid, the design is adorable, and the game gives you a wealth of tools to work with. Combined with the fact that each path has more than eight ways to go about it and the professor wants four pictures of each Pokemon, you end up with something that has more replay value than I thought would ever be possible. And that’s coming from someone who still pops in the Nintendo 64 original. This is such a pleasant surprise that I was hyped for this game and it still exceeded my expectations.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is the most immersive, intense, adrenaline-pumping, winner-take-all shooter of its time. Ushering forth a new era of Battle Royale gameplay, its technical qualms are the only thing standing in the way of the path to near perfection in its gunplay and survival-first gameplay.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a near-perfect game that will be remembered for many years to come. Featuring well-crafted gameplay, an incredible cast of characters, and countless hours of content, it is a love letter to the veterans and a great starting point for newcomers who are looking to get into the series.

Call of Duty: Vanguard may be the best CoD installment to date with stunning graphics that shine on the new systems and finely tuned, balanced gun play. They bring a new and fresh approach to the WWII and D-Day scenario making the solo campaign just as enjoyable as the multiplayer.

An amazing murder mystery and conspiracy story is told through awesome gameplay in Lost Judgment. Smooth combat, amazing cities to explore and fun side quests will keep you coming back for more.

Despite some minor graphical issues, Game Freak has managed to build the kind of living world I’ve always wanted from a Pokemon game. The Pokemon feel alive and filled with personality, from the adorable Snorunts to the hyper Aipon to the playful antics of Gengar. And they all exist in a fully realized world with neighboring clans and memorable characters.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is not the most polished or accessible title on the market, but it’s certainly one of the most well-executed and satisfying gaming experiences I’ve ever had the chance to play. If you have dropped this game or are on the fence about trying it due to its difficulty, I implore you to give it a chance and really take your time with it. It’s well worth the effort.

I started Unpacking mostly expecting an interesting puzzle game about item placement and ended up with a story and protagonist I cared about. The art is beautiful, the world detailed, and the ambient sound of simple things, like a refrigerator running, put you in the world. Beyond minor woes, Unpacking does everything you’d want in a puzzle game and then some.

Overall, Storyteller is one of the most pleasant, fun, cute, and exciting puzzle games I’ve recently played. It’s for the whole family to enjoy and solve together – I actually had to pretend my Switch was dead so my six-year-old twins would stop taking it from me. I’m sorry, girls! I truly enjoyed Storyteller and I can’t recommend it enough.

Resident Evil Village is a great addition to the beloved franchise mixing the best of old and new to create a balanced addition for fans of all types. The end will leave you with your jaw on the floor and anxiously awaiting the next chapter for the franchise. I am excited to see what lies ahead.

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration isn’t just a treasure trove of hard-to-find titles, it’s a love letter to gaming’s history. Besides simply playing these classics — some of which have been updated with improved graphics — you get a rich history lesson about the company. Candid interviews provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it was like working at the company and give you insight into the development of these older games. This context allows you to view these classics in an entirely new light.

Little Nightmares 2 is gorgeous and disturbing with smooth controls and a cute little collectible system that allows you to collect hats throughout the game and change them at will. Aside from some random clipping during gameplay, this game is practically perfect with beautifully terrifying environments, helpful AI, scary sound mixing and a story with villains that will give you nightmares.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human is the sequel we hoped for and nearly everything Techland promised. There are some technical issues that can affect your quality of gameplay, but I have all the faith in Techland to iron those out, possibly even before its official release. This is going to be the game to beat this year.

Live a Live is a rare and unique title that was already terrific but made even better with an extreme amount of love and hard work put in to drastically improve the experience. To live a life in which you haven’t played Live a Live is a life less lived.

Metroid Dread is an amazing return for Samus with fantastic controls, excellent sound design and a wonderful overall aesthetic. Even as someone who’s not normally fond of Metroidvania-style games, the intensity of Metroid Dread held my attention to the point where I felt heartbroken the first time my Switch let me know the batteries were about to die.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a faithful and beautifully done remaster of the greatest entry in the Paper Mario series. From fixing the ancient wrong of the US release to the addition of new and incredibly convenient features like fast travel and the ability to switch partners on the fly, Nintendo has somehow taken something made of pure gold and added a pure gold plating.

In every conceivable way, Resident Evil 2 sets the new standard by which the series should be judged going forward.

Horizon Zero Dawn has an unforgettable protagonist, world, story, visuals, soundtrack and gameplay. Due to minor issues with inventory management and quest selection, I cannot call it perfect but I can say it is absolutely worth your time.

Elden Ring is the next evolution of the “Souls” genre. It feels both familiar and truly unique. Fans of previous “Souls” games will feel right at home, while appreciating the new features, mechanics and quality of life improvements the game has to offer.

Bandle Tale is the video game version of a warm, freshly baked cookie. With 40 to 60 hours of gameplay, it's not just a quick visit to Bandle City - it's a long, joy-filled vacation. Think of it as your favorite series - you won't want it to end."

Hitman 2 is a new coat of paint and an updated model of the previous year’s racing car. Sure, it may look similar to its predecessor, but it is improved in almost every facet of production, allowing the player to marvel in its familiar excellence.

Frustrations from PC struggles and awkward movement controls were quickly swallowed up in the glorious, but brief adventure that is Rime. Through beautiful environments, clever puzzling, and a soundtrack contending for game music of the year, Rime draws its audience into a truly moving tale that will keep them absorbed in its splendid island world from start to finish.

Princess Peach Showtime is a great action game for people of all skill levels. 10 different costumes provide us with unique playstyles in a game where you never know what's going to happen next. Are you going to be a flying hero punching down enemy ships? Or are you going to be a master thief hacking into security and sneaking through lasers? It's always something different and it's great to see so much potential in an often underused character.

Monster Hunter World was already loads of fun and Iceborne just adds more of it, and more to do. If you sunk at least 60 hours into the base game, it would be a disservice to not get Iceborne. Even for those who never played Monster Hunter World but are on the fence about it, there is no better time than now to jump into the game (unless you’re on Steam and have to wait four more months).

A wonderfully heartfelt passage to classic cartoons and rough-and-tumble difficult video games of the past, Cuphead is a can’t miss title on the Nintendo Switch.

Aside from a few technical blips, Stardew Valley remains a shining Stardrop in its genre, welcoming back fans of the series that inspired it and inviting newcomers to relax in the valley, too.